Rouhani: Iran Historical Steward of Region’s Maritime Security 

By Staff, Agencies 

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stressed his country’s historical role as a preserver of maritime security in the region, saying the country has no interest in initiating tensions either here or beyond.

Rouhani made the remarks during a meeting with a ranking Iraqi delegation headed by Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi in Tehran on Monday, IRNA reported.

“Over the course of history, Iran has been and will continue to be the most principal preserver of security and shipping freedom in the Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Sea of Oman,” he said.

The Islamic Republic, he added, would never act as the party to start any warfare or tension with other countries.

The Iraqi premier, meanwhile, pointed to existence of some plots aimed increasing regional tensions.

The comments came following multiple shipping incidents in the regional waters, which saw multiple explosions on board many vessels.

Abdul-Mahdi then asserted, “Iraq has never played and will never play any role in enforcement of sanctions against Iran.” Baghdad’s insistence on keeping up its trade with Tehran despite the US’s sanctions has forced Washington to issue it several waivers.

Rouhani hailed implementation over the recent years of “effective steps” in expansion of the countries’ relations, noting, “This trend will surely continue.”

Enhancement of the countries’ cooperation and relations “will definitely have a [positive] effect in expansion and enhancement of stability and security in the region,” he added, and laid emphasis on the importance of dialog in resolution of regional predicaments.

Abdul-Mahdi, for his part, called the feeling of fraternity and amity between the countries “reciprocal.” He also reminded that the countries’ security was integrated and that both had to invest in efforts aimed at guarding their shared border.